On a nice cool July evening a good crew got together at Wu’s Wonton King in Chinatown.
We started with a blind bubbly. Full, a bit of an oxidative note, toasted bread and poire williams, interesting but I prefer less oxidative Champagne. Unusual story- apparently the grandfather travelled around France collecting cuttings, and this includes things like Chasselas and Gros Plant. Benoit Lahaye “Le Jardin De La Grosse Pierre” Champagne. B
Then, a couple more (with Dungeness crab, anchovies with snap peas , flounder (with fried bones)
1999 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs
Ok, I admit I’m just a fool for Comtes. Fresh, bright. elegant mousse, fine pear fruit with toast and chalk overlays. Excellent length. Someone said a great effort for a hard vintage, which surprised me as I tend to like ‘99s. A-
2002 Bollinger Grande Annee Champagne
Bigger style than my ideal, but very good in the Bolly/Krug style. Still young. B+
On to the red Burgs ( with pork, Peking duck, roast duck, snow pea greens w. dried scallop, chicken- I might have left off a dish or two)
2000 Roumier “Clos de la Bussiere” Morey-St-Denis 1er
Someone said 2000s have closed up, but this was open and nice. Fragrant, red fruit and sandalwood, quite nice. B+
1997 Gouges “Vaucrains” Nuits St George 1er
(double decanted, and back into a decanter before serving-hey, it’s Gouges)
Still pretty sturdy, noticable tannin, a little barnyard, mushrooms, black cherry fruit. B+
2005 Chevillon “Chaignots” Nuits St George 1er
Young, but plush black cherry and plum fruit, still a little oak to integrate. This will be very good. B+
2002 Chevillon “Vaucrains” Nuits St George 1er
This was probably tightest of the Chevillons, but man is there a nice wine under there. Tons of structure but sweet fruit and lots of potential. B for tonight, A-/A potential.
2001 Chevillon “Cailles” Nuits St George 1er
Fragrant, seamless. Red fruit with some developing notes of autumn leaves and earth. Quite tasty/ B+/A-
1996 Chevillon “Cailles” Nuits St George 1er
(double-decanted for sediment before travel)
Delightfully earthy, plenty of fruits, vivid but not spiky acids. A-
1993 Chevillon “Chaignots” Nuits St George 1er
(double-decanted for sediment before travel)
Good acids, resolved tannin, black cherry and raspberry, spicy. No hurry. B+/A-
2008 Jadot “Rugiens” Pommard 1er
I didn’t write anything down for this. A bit of time in decanter, but not enough. But think this has a lot of potential, masculine/meaty Pommard.
Very fun night with a good group. We were very lucky with no flawed or unattractive wines.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.